PIANIST
Duncan enjoys a strong reputation as a versatile pianist, being equally adept in the roles of soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, and orchestral keyboard player. His three-year tenure as Principal Keyboard player of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain saw performances in most of the country’s major concert halls including the Barbican, Bridgewater Hall, Symphony Hall Birmingham, and Snape Maltings under conductors including Sir Mark Elder, Gianandrea Noseda, and Sir Neville Mariner. Highlights included the solo piano roles in Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements at the Royal Albert Hall, and James Macmillan’s Symphony Vigil at the Roundhouse conducted by the composer. Aged just 15, he appeared for live broadcast in a BBC Chamber Prom, performing Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Lutoslawski’s Chain 1 with the NYOGB Sinfonietta.
He made his concerto debut in March 2007 performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the St Paul’s Sinfonia, and followed this in July with a further performance in Cadogan Hall. As well as acclaimed concerts on the British music club scene, Duncan has performed across Europe and given two celebrated recitals at the residency of the British High Commissioner in New Delhi as an ambassador for his charity, The WAM Foundation. In April 2009 he gave a private recital with acclaimed guitarist Milos Karadaglic at the Rothschild estate in Exbury.
A dedicated chamber musician, in 2009 Duncan was awarded the RNCM’s prestigious Chris Rowland Prize for his performance of Poulenc’s Sextour with wind quintet ‘Dolce Cinque’. A regular collaborator with this ensemble in recitals across the North of England, he also accompanies soloists within the group including award-winning flautist Helen Wilson. A keen accompanist, his work has included that for BBC Radio 3 broadcast.
Duncan began piano lessons aged 11 with Brenda Munday. After winning several local competitions he moved to Nadia Lasserson at Junior Trinity, gaining his ATCL diploma in 2005. He currently studies with John Gough at the University of Manchester.
"16 year old Duncan Ward was the impressive solo pianist, negotiating the syncopation of his part with finesse"
Dominic McHugh on a performance of Stravinsky’s Symphony in Three Movements with the NYO in the 2006 BBC Proms.
"I don't know what goes on in your head, but it produces for
us the most brilliant, versatile, exciting, magical music that we have
heard for a very long time"
Vote of thanks, Harting Music Club